The Ecology of Sandy Shores, Fourth Edition provides both a holistic and conceptual introduction for the beginner, yet at the same time gives an in-depth and cutting-edge analysis for the researcher interested in sandy shores. There is no other book covering the ecology of sandy beaches, despite the extent and economic importance of these systems. This guide is designed to both introduce students to the basic principles of sandy shore ecology, to serve as a ready reference for doctoral students and researchers working on these systems, and to provide a handbook for land and coastal managers.

This new edition will focus on humans as part of the sandy beach environment, including aspects such as global change in coastal systems and its impacts on sandy littoral zones through ‘coastal squeeze’. Further, prominence will be given to resource use, such as artisanal fisheries and to the critical area of coastal zone management and governance. Considering these two main issues, the concept of sandy beaches as social-ecological systems will be developed together with an illustrative framework related to this approach.